Noah, one of the most popular biblical figures of all time — hasn’t been the star of a Hollywood movie.

The tale of a righteous man who builds a giant ark to save animals from a devastating flood is beloved by Christians, Muslims, Jews and beyond. Even nonreligious people know about animals marching into the ark two-by-two.

But aside from a few cameos in religious films, Noah and his story remained the stuff of books and illustrations.

Noah

Rating: PG-13

When: Opens Friday

Where: Wide release

Running time: 2 hour, 19 minutes

This weekend, however, it’s finally Noah’s time in the spotlight thanks to director Darren Aronofsky’s mesmerizing, art-house version of the story.

It’s a breathtaking movie that brings to life images that previously have been only in our imaginations, and for that reason alone it’s worth going.

We see lush forests sprouting out of nothing, birds turning the sky black, wild animals boarding, floodwaters rising. It’s epic in a way that we don’t get much anymore (unless it’s a Marvel superhero movie).

This image released by Paramount Pictures shows Jennifer Connelly, left, and Russell Crowe in a scene from "Noah." (AP Photo/Paramount Pictures, Niko Tavernise)
The Associated Press

This image released by Paramount Pictures shows Jennifer Connelly, left, and Russell Crowe in a scene from "Noah." (AP Photo/Paramount Pictures, Niko Tavernise)

The cast of A-list actors includes Russell Crowe, Jennifer Connelly, Anthony Hopkins and Emma Watson. The special effects and cinematography are dazzling. Even the costumes made of sturdy, braided material are like nothing that’s been worn in a Bible story.

But not everyone’s going to like it, especially if they’re hoping to see a feel-good retelling with some wild animal antics thrown in.

Aronofsky and co-writer Ari Handel took the Bible story — which is pretty sparse — and filled it with themes even modern-day people struggle with today: faith, family, environmentalism and mania.

Noah’s world is far from Eden, but his goal is to get back to it.

Where he lives is dry and mostly covered in ash. People are portrayed as mostly evil and selfish, epitomized almost cartoonishly by leader Tubal-cain (Ray Winstone).

Noah, his wife and their three sons survive in the hills, apart from society. They are early environmentalists, taking only what they need and putting the earth before themselves. Noah constantly blames the state of the world on man, and that fuels his passion for the ark.

This image released by Paramount Pictures shows Russell Crowe in a scene from "Noah." (AP Photo/Paramount Pictures, Niko Tavernise)
The Associated Press

This image released by Paramount Pictures shows Russell Crowe in a scene from "Noah." (AP Photo/Paramount Pictures, Niko Tavernise)

The vision to create the ark comes from a kind of dream hallucination, rather than from direct conversation with God. Those hallucinations — also used in “Black Swan” and “Requiem for a Dream” — are one of Aronofsky’s strengths as a director, and they work well in “Noah,” too.

Another thing: The word God is never said in the film; instead he’s referred to as “The Creator.”

As for Crowe, he’s a fantastic Noah. He’s rugged and earnest and he subtly captures the torment of his situation — watching the end of humanity.

Connelly is an equally great co-star. As Noah’s wife, Naameh, she’s poised and patient but headstrong as she watches her husband become consumed by the ark. Even Watson, as Noah’s adopted daughter Ila, is touching and believable when she’s put into one of the most terrible situations imaginable.

What’s not so believable, and actually quite laughable, are the creatures Aronofsky invented called the Watchers. The Watchers are a version of the biblical Nephilim, giants that lived on Earth.